ANTIGONE Comes to Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre This Fall

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre will present Antigone, adapted by Jean Anouilh, previewing September 14 and September 15 for an opening on September 16. The production will run through October 1 at the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, 3614 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.

This modern adaptation of an ancient story leaps to the stage with accessibility and a relevant energy. While the story was born in ancient Greece, this play could take place in modern Afghanistan, Syria or the streets of the US. From the outset, Antigone takes the stage, infusing the story with her presence, urgency, values, humor and humanity. In the aftermath of a raging battle, Antigone and her uncle are locked in conflict. Following a literal battle royal, both of Antigone's brothers are slain. One, Eteocles will be buried with honors. The other, Polynices is condemned to go unburied, his body, desecrated. Antigone knows that her brother Polynices' soul will be denied passage to the underworld and the gods will be offended, defies her uncle's edict and buries her brother. As the new king, Creon cannot ignore her actions - her defiance is a matter of national security. This modern adaptation retains the elegance of the original married to dynamic modern energy and performance style.

Thursday, September 21 - PostScripts: Audience post-show discussion with the actors and artistic staff Wednesday, September 27 - 6:30-7:30 - $25.00 - Wine and Cheese Ladies Night (Gentlemen welcome!) Thursday, September 28 - 6:30-7:00 - InSight: Gather in the theatre for a pre-show talk about the play and its source material.

Friday, September 29 - 6:30-7:30 - A Taste of the Show: Treat your palate to a taste of the show! Sample decadent delights from Greece and France.

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre was created in 2005 after two years of planning and visioning with multiple stakeholders. In the twelve years since, MET has evolved from a start-up enterprise to a respected professional theatre that offers more than 100 performances each season and serves over 10,000 members of the community through outstanding theatre productions, education, and our community outreach programs. At its heart MET is committed to the art of story and sharing access to great masterworks and contemporary classics that delight, thrill, illumine and inspire. When the lights of the theatre go up, the walls between people fall down. We believe that great plays bring us together in exciting ways. They are the birthright of all people and remind us of what it is to be truly human.

Our Flagship Masterworks Series offers dynamic performances of great masterworks in an intimate setting. MET is the home of great classic works and numerous premieres. Audiences revel in challenging works presented with terrific artistry just a breath away --all presented with talented local professionals in a warm casual setting for affordable prices.

The MET Lighthouse Education and Community Initiative brings high quality theatre outreach experiences to K-12 youth in schools and customizes programming for educators and community groups. These grass roots engagement projects are designed to bring participants in touch with great plays and to inspire thinking, creativity, encourage individual expression, build community and foster a culture of inclusion. MET serves on both side of the state line taking programs offsite and through our excellent Student Matinee Masterworks Series. Community partners include: Kansas and Missouri School Districts, The Kansas City Interfaith Coalition, YMCA, Girl Scouts, and Reaching Out from Within.

MET actively mentors emerging professional performers, designers, and playwrights and is known for giving great talent a welcoming home to flourish in Kansas City and creating a home for some of Kansas City's most talented professional artists. Several of our most noted young artists have found their first home at MET.

MET offers more than 100 performances annually and creates 110-120 artistic employment opportunities each year through their main stage and outreach performances as well as their artistic partnership performances (i.e. Central Standard Theatre, KC Fringe, Relevance Productions, and KC Playwrights Group). We welcome you to a performance soon!